About this Event
With Special Guest: Duncan Cryle from Clear Sky Retreat Center
How do we build community? How do we navigate the messy, beautiful work of coming together? Can we really create communities where we come together with others to work toward something larger than ourselves? Is there a way to figure out power dynamics, hierarchy, and shared responsibility in ways that honor both structure and soul? How do we move from ideals to genuine communication and trust?
Many of us grew up learning independence, perhaps even priding ourselves on self-reliance. Yet we also long for genuine connection—for communities where we can show up whole, working together toward something larger than ourselves.
But when we actually try to build community—whether in nonprofits, workplaces, intentional communities, or volunteer groups—we often hit the same painful patterns. Resentment instead of openness. Protection instead of trust. Misunderstanding instead of clarity. Good intentions that somehow lead to dysfunction.
We live in a polarized world where what we see modeled around us is often blame, separation and entrenched views. It's vital to explore wholesome models for trust and community to learn what actually works, and to remind ourselves that it truly is possible.
Join our group of seekers for an exploration that bridges spiritual wisdom with hard-won organizational experience. Duncan Cryle has spent 20 years as a founding member and co-leader at Clear Sky Meditation Center—a "living laboratory" for conscious community and team development. In parallel, he spent 20 years leading teams and introducing mindfulness in the corporate world, including co-creating IBM's mindfulness community.
He'll share insights from Clear Sky Center, intentional communities like Tamera in Portugal (the "village of lovers"), and offer practical tools for building awakened organizations and communities that actually function.
This session will weave together:
- Spiritual foundations: How contemplative practice can support us in working with conflict and trust
- Organizational realities: Real patterns that emerge when people collaborate, and what actually helps (vs. what sounds good in theory)
- Lessons from conscious communities: Stories from Clear Sky's 20-year journey—navigating money issues, power dynamics, and sustainable structures—plus insights from communities like Tamera
- The integration challenge: Bringing our deepest values into the nitty-gritty of meetings, decisions, money, and power
We'll explore questions like:
- Why do mission-driven groups so often struggle with dysfunction despite everyone's good intentions?
- What does "awakened community" actually look like in practice?
- How do we hold both compassion and accountability, openness and boundaries?
- What's the relationship between personal practice and capacity to show up in groups?
This won't be just theory. Expect real stories from both spiritual communities and secular organizations, guided reflection, and generous space for discussion about the communities and teams you're navigating.
About Duncan
Duncan Cryle brings a rare integration of contemplative depth and organizational development experience. Since 2004, he has been a founding member of Clear Sky Retreat Center, serving as Board Chair, co-Executive Director, and Associate Teacher under Catherine Pawasarat Sensei's guidance. Duncan also spent 20+ years in corporate leadership, pioneering mindfulness programs at IBM (10,000+ members in 30+ countries) and SS&C Technologies (reaching 25,000+ employees).
Learn more at clearskycenter.org and consciousorganizations.com
Where, when and how much?
When: Thursday, Dec 6, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM MST
Where: Congress Coffee Company, 215 36 Ave NE, 1A · Calgary, AB
90 minutes including teaching, guided reflection, and generous time for questions and discussion.
Pay from the Heart (suggested $20-$30)
Everyone is welcome to participate regardless of financial circumstances. Please join us and offer whatever your situation allows. There will be a bowl and card tap at the door.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Congress Coffee Company, 215 36 Avenue Northeast, Calgary, Canada
CAD 0.00
